Mariners notebook: Adrian Beltre gets back to work

Adrian Beltre returned to a different feeling Mariners team than the one he last played with on June 28. The Mariners have played . 500 ball since he...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Adrian Beltre returned to a different feeling Mariners team than the one he last played with on June 28.

The Mariners have played .500 ball since he underwent shoulder surgery five weeks ago, but have fallen out of the American League West race. As a result, the atmosphere is not as electric as it was when Beltre went out.

What is still the same for Beltre is the fact that his contract will be up at the end of the season. He hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can do this season.

When asked if he felt the need to show the M’s and other teams that he can still perform at a top level, Beltre said, “I think I have things to show myself, that I’m 100 percent. It depends what I do and how I feel.

“I’m not thinking about contract right now. I just want to be healthy and be mentally convinced that I can play this game.”

Beltre was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts in Tuesday’s win.

Notes

• When creating roster room for Beltre, the Mariners chose to keep Jack Hannahan and designate Chris Woodward for assignment. Hannahan had minor-league options left, and it had been thought the Mariners might send him down to get more familiar with the middle infield. But the team has been impressed with his offense, and manager Don Wakamatsu said Woodward would be insurance at third base in case Beltre doesn’t come back 100 percent.

Woodward took the move in stride, saying, “You can’t be surprised in this game. … I’m definitely going to do all I can to get back up to the major leagues at some point.”

• LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) threw a bullpen session, and the Mariners will determine the next course of action after seeing how he feels today. But they don’t believe Bedard will be ready to come off the disabled list when he becomes eligible Monday.